Gentian plant named ‘Ashiro 29-2076’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Gentiana L. plant (Japanese gentian) which is a double flower type and has about 3 (2.9 on average) side shoots with only one node.

Common name: Japanese gentian.

Botanical classification: Gentiana L. hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Ashiro 29-2076’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Japanesegentian, Gentiana L., which has been given the variety denomination‘Ashiro 29-2076’.

This new gentian is a double flower type and has about 3 (2.9 onaverage) side shoots with only one node. It is adapted for use as cutflowers or pot flowers.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The variety resulted from a multiple-step cross-breeding programstarting from a group of unpatented varieties. The ancestor varietieswere unpatented strains owned by the applicant, having thecompany-internal names: ‘17INP’ which belongs to the species Gentianatriflora, and ‘25-322-R1’, ‘26-904’, ‘12-320-1’, ‘14-526-2’, ‘11-24-1’,‘11-192-1’, ‘13SH’, ‘10-76’, ‘6-62’, ‘12-186-1’, ‘12-212-1’, and‘25-817’, which belong to the species Gentiana scabra. Group crossesand/or self-crosses with a single individual were performed. The programhad seven steps, as shown in the map of FIG. 6 , which also indicatesthe company-internal names of the intermediary, unpatented strains. Ateach step, the individuals with good plant and flower shape wereselected. The corresponding species identification is(((scabra (scabra x triflora))x scabra)))x((scabra x(scabra xtriflora)).

The multiple-step cross-breeding program was performed over multiplegrowing seasons up to 2018; in October 2018, selection of the varietywas performed. We asexually reproduced the variety by vegetativereproduction through cuttings, tissue culturing via lateral bud culture,and in October 2020, the new variety was found to be stable andasexually reproduced true to type in successive generations.

The variety was developed and propagated in Iwate, Japan.

The variety can be propagated by cutting (optimal timing ismid-February) and/or tissue culturing via lateral bud culture.

Cultivation of the variety does not require particular conditions.Maintenance and storage method of the plant material can be by tissueculture via lateral bud culture.

The variety is adapted for use as cut flowers or pot flowers.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The variety is distinguished by double flower type and has about 3 (2.9on average) side shoots with only one node, as compared to ‘Shine BlueAshiro’ variety which is single flower type and has about 6 side shootswith only one node. ‘Shine Blue Ashiro’ is unpatented.

A comparison with ‘Shine Blue Ashiro’ variety is presented as follows inTable 1:

TABLE 1 ‘Shine Blue Ashiro’ ‘Ashiro 29-2076’ Flower type Single doubleNumber of side shoots with 6 about 3 only one node (2.9 on average)

Additional distinguishing characteristics of the ‘Ashiro 29-2076’ plantare the about sept (6.8 on average) lobes of the paracorolla.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which are as nearly true as is reasonablepossible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing the ‘Ashiro 29-2076’ plant as grownin a culturing bed;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing flowers of the ‘Ashiro 29-2076’plant;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing flowering stages of flowers of the‘Ashiro 29-2076’ plant;

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing petals of flowers of the ‘Ashiro29-2076’ plant;

FIG. 5 is another color photograph showing flowers of the ‘Ashiro29-2076’ plant;

FIG. 6 is a map showing the steps of the cross-breeding program fromwhich the variety was obtained.

Due to chemical and/or digital development, processing and printing, theplants or portions of plants depicted in the photographs may or may notbe precisely accurate, when compared to the actual botanical specimens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The plants in the botanical description below and shown in the Figureswere grown in Iwate, Japan. The plants were collected in October 2020 atage 16 months.

Colors are given according to The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

TABLE 2 Stem Length: 74.5 cm Stem shape in cross-section: circularThickness (main flowering 3.8 mm stem): Number of flowering stems 12.7per plant (average): Texture: smooth Color: strong yellow green (145A onRHS Colour Chart) Anthocyanin coloration at two present thirds frombase: Number of internodes longer 20.4 than 5 mm (average): Length ofinternode in central 3.8 cm third: Side shoots: present Number of sideshoots with 2.9 only one node (average): Number of side shoots with 11.6more than one node (average): Position of longest leaf: in lower thirdLeaf Length: 9.0 cm Leaf arrangement: opposite leaf arrangement Leafattachment: sessile Leaf apex: broad lanceolate Leaf margin: entire Leafbase: rounded Leaf texture (inner side): smooth Leaf texture (outerside): smooth Leaf color (inner side): moderate olive green (137A on RHSColour Chart) Leaf color (outer side): moderate yellow green (138C onRHS Colour Chart) Leaf venation pattern: parallel venation (three lines)Width: 1.9 cm Shape: broad lanceolate Shape in cross section: foldedupwards Shape in longitudinal section: straight Twisting: absent Numberof conspicuous veins: 3 Anthocyanin coloration: present Inflore-Distribution of flowers: clustered scence Position of flowers: terminaland axillary Plant: Number of terminal flowers 6.7 (average): Typicalplant height: about 74.5 cm (cut flower or potted plant) Typical growthhabit: erect Plant spread (average): 65.0 cm Sequence of flowering: fromtop downwards Number of flowers per top: 6.7 inflorescence: others: 1.9Sequence of flowering: from top downwards Number of flowers at central1.9 flowering node (average): Number of flowering node: 6.5 Flower budShape of bud: narrow oval (about 3 days before flowering) Length of bud(average): 42.51 mm Diameter of bud (average): 13.94 mm Color of bud:dark purple (83A on RHS Colour Chart) Flower Type: double Time offlowering: late October Corolla Depth: 41.7 mm Diameter at middle third:17.7 mm Shape: campanulate Diameter at top: 28.5 mm Curvature of lobes:strongly reflexed Color of inner side of lobes: strong blue (N95B on RHSColour Chart) Tube length (average): 27.1 mm Color of upper part ofinner strong purplish blue side of tube: (95C on RHS Colour Chart) Colorof upper part of outer dark purple (83A side of tube: on RHS ColourChart) Streaked pattern on outer side present of tube: Color of streakedpattern on dark purple outer side of tube: (83A on RHS Colour Chart)Density of spots on the inner sparse side of the corolla lobes: Densityof spots on the medium upper part of the inner side of the corolla tube:Density of spots on the absent outer side of the corolla tube: Number oflobes: 6.8 Length of lobes: 8.7 mm Width of lobes: 10.5 mm Shape oflobes: broad triangular Shape of distal end of lobes: acute Presence ofsecondary lobes: present Average number of secondary 6.8 lobes perflower: Shape of secondary lobe apex: acute Paracorolla Presence ofparacorolla: present Number of paracorolla lobes 6.8 (average):Paracolla apex shape: acute Calyx Anthocyanin coloration: present Lengthof tube: 15.3 mm Diameter of tube: 6.0 mm Shape of tube: funnel-shapedShape of lobe: narrow lanceolate Sepal Sepal number: 6 Sepal lobe shape:narrow lanceolate Sepal apex: acute Sepal color (inner side): darkyellowish green (136B on the RHS Colour Chart) Sepal color (outer side):strong yellow green (143C on the RHS Colour Chart) Reproductive Stamensand anther: stamens are mutated into organs petals and there is noanther Time of flowering: late October Pistil number: 1 Pistil length(average): 38.3 mm Anther shape: narrow oval Anther color: light yellowgreen (145C on RHS Colour Chart)

In the above chart, specific numbers correspond to average values.

-   Other features of the plant are as follows:    -   -   Disease resistance.—Normal resistance was observed for pests            and diseases in Iwate, Japan, using pest control by chemical            spraying for gentian.        -   Cold hardiness.—Strong, the variety can withstand winter in            Iwate, Japan, including low temperatures of about −10° C.            with abundant snow.        -   Heat tolerance.—Normal, the variety can withstand summer in            Iwate, Japan, including high temperatures of about 35° C.        -   Flower fragrance.—Absent.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Gentiana plant named ‘Ashiro29-2076’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.